Lot 5050 email save

1881, Currier + Ives Print, The Bicycle Boy

Black History

Rare "Spoiling A Sensation - The Bicycle Boy on a Bull"

1881, Currier & Ives Print, "Spoiling A Sensation - The Bicycle Boy On A Bull", From the Darktown Series, Hand Colored and Signed, Extremely Fine.
1881, Currier & Ives, hand colored Black Americana and Early Bicycling subject matter. Stone Lithograph printing titled "Spoiling a Sensation - The Bicycle Boy on a Bull", depicting a Comic scene showing an African-American High Wheel Cyclist caught on the horns of a charging Bull - his cycle in pieces and his friends aghast! In the background, a Black woman wearing a top hat holds a mule. This rare, original Currier & Ives Print (from the "Darktown" series) measures approx. 12" x 15" with 1" plus margins. It is framed in an early 20th century, black ebonized wood frame. This print has the printed signature of the artist "Th(omas) Worth". This wonderful lithograph is in excellent condition - no tears, folds, creases, or repairs. The colors are bright and vibrant. There is a very light water stain below the title and a single spot of foxing to the right of the legend. This image is one of the nicest Currier & Ives Darktown Series Prints we have handled and the first of this title we have offered. The early Bicycling subject matter make it a most desirable piece of American Art.

There is another print from this series in a matching frame in this sale.